I was back in that hallway, hugging myself and listening in on my mom and Gage talking. “I don’t understand why he can’t come here,” she said.
Because I wanted privacy.
Because I wanted to be somewhere I could think.
The door was open an inch, but every word said was like a blow to my chest.
When we stood to leave, Mom started with the questions. Where were we going? How long would I be gone? I was going to see a boy? And that last question, it was her third time asking. She did again, “I just don’t get it. We don’t live here, so this is her home away from home. Doesn’t a daughter need her mother?”
“Mom, she’s only going for a few hours. She’ll be back tonight. I’ll pick her up.”
“But—”
The door creaked. Blake stood there, leaning against the doorframe. He rested his head against th
